A Hard Look

In my last blog on the Democratic Party, I concluded with this thought:

The party must celebrate its successes openly, present clear and thoughtful counterarguments to criticisms, and most importantly, never allow others to define its narrative. A proactive, fact-based approach will not only build trust but also position the party as a reliable and effective advocate for the people it represents.

Building on that, I want to emphasize a crucial point: the party—and everyone within it—must be honest with themselves and with the public. Honesty is not always comfortable; the truth can be harsh, but it remains the truth. This brings to mind Lyndon Johnson’s powerful observation:

"If you can convince the lowest white man he's better than the best colored man, he won't notice you're picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he'll empty his pockets for you."

Johnson's quote resonates today in the MAGA era. Replace “colored” with women, LGBTQ+ individuals, or the educated, and the message still holds true. MAGA thrives on fostering division and scapegoating others, as long as it keeps its base satisfied by making someone else worse off.

It is imperative that the Democratic Party and its allies call a spade a spade. MAGA actions increasingly reflect anarchic and fascist tendencies: refusing to compromise, gerrymandering to skew elections, purging voter rolls without legitimate cause, and vigilante-style law enforcement that bypasses due process. Ironically, their push to suppress education mirrors the very tactics of authoritarian regimes they have historically accused Democrats of supporting.

Moreover, self-identified Conservatives who have distanced themselves from the Republican Party must confront a hard truth: their vision of Conservatism no longer aligns with the MAGA framework. Edmund Burke, often regarded as the philosophical father of conservatism, was deeply influenced by the turbulence of the French Revolution. He championed measured, gradual change as a means to preserve societal stability.

However, Conservatives today must recognize that an unwillingness to adapt and address pressing issues can fuel the very radicalism they seek to avoid. Slow-moving change in the face of urgent challenges creates a vacuum that allows extremism to take root. Conservatism itself must evolve to meet the demands of the present while staying true to its core principles. Change is not the enemy—it is a necessary path forward.

The Democratic Party must stand firm, not just in its policies but in its messaging. By prioritizing truth, rejecting false equivalencies, and exposing MAGA’s contradictions, the party can reclaim the narrative and demonstrate its commitment to the ideals of democracy, equality, and progress.